Apparatus for retaining vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10, 110 ) for use in retaining vertebrae (V) of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member ( 12, 112 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 13, 113 ) extendable along the spinal column. A hook ( 14, 114 ) connects the longitudinal member ( 12, 112 ) to a vertebra (V) of the spinal column. The hook ( 14, 114 ) is connectable with the longitudinal member ( 12, 112 ) and engageable with the vertebra (V). The hook ( 14, 114 ) has a first portion ( 16, 116 ) which extends adjacent a first surface ( 64, 164 ) of the vertebra (V) when the hook is connected with the vertebra. A second portion ( 18, 118 ) of the hook ( 14, 114 ) extends adjacent a second surface ( 62, 162 ) of the vertebra (V) when the hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between the first and second portions ( 14, 114 and 18, 118 ). The second portion ( 18, 118 ) is movable relative to the first portion ( 14, 114 ) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis ( 13, 113 ) of the longitudinal member ( 12, 112 ) to adjust a distance between the first portion ( 14, 114 ) and the second portion ( 18, 118 ).

Having described the invention, the following is claimed:  
     
       1. An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprising: 
       a longitudinal member having a longitudinal axis extendable along the spinal column;  
       a hook connectable with said longitudinal member and engageable with a vertebra of the spinal column, said hook having a first portion which extends adjacent a first surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra and a second portion which extends adjacent a second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between said first and second portions, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member to adjust a distance between said first portion and said second portion; and  
       a fastener for preventing movement of said second portion relative to said first portion.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first portion of said hook is connectable with said longitudinal member and said second portion of said hook extends from said first portion and is engageable with the vertebra. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as defined in  claim 2  wherein said second portion has a connecting portion extending from said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member and an end portion extending from said connecting portion and transverse to said connecting portion, said end portion of said second portion extending adjacent the second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein said fastener engages said connecting portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion and prevent movement of said second portion relative to said first portion. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as defined in  claim 4  wherein said fastener extends through said connecting portion and threadably engages said first portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein said connecting portion has a slot extending transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member through which said fastener extends. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein said first portion has a groove extending transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member into which said connecting portion extends to guide movement of said second portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member relative to said first portion. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as defined in  claim 7  wherein said first portion has first and second surfaces extending parallel to each other and defining said groove, said first and second surfaces being engageable with first and second surfaces on said connecting portion extending parallel to each other to prevent pivoting of said second portion relative to said first portion. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein said connecting portion includes two arms extending parallel to each other engageable with opposite sides of said first portion, said end portion extending between said arms. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first portion has an opening through which said longitudinal member extends. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as defined in  claim 10  further including a clamping member that clamps said longitudinal member to said first portion. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second portion is pivotable relative to said first portion. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as defined in  claim 12  wherein said first portion of said hook is connectable with said longitudinal member and said second portion has a connecting portion extending from said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member and an end portion extending transverse to said connection portion, said end portion of said second portion extending adjacent the second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as defined in  claim 13  wherein said fastener engages said connecting portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion and prevent movement of said second portion relative to said first portion, said second portion being pivotable about said fastener relative to said first portion. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as defined in  claim 14  wherein said fastener extends through said connecting portion and threadably engages said first portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus as defined in  claim 15  wherein said connecting portion has a slot extending transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member through which said fastener extends. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprising: 
       a longitudinal member having a longitudinal axis extendable along the spinal column;  
       a hook connectable with said longitudinal member and engageable with a vertebra of the spinal column, said hook having a first portion which extends adjacent a first surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra and a second portion which extends adjacent a second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between said first and second portions, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member to adjust a distance between said first portion and said second portion, said first portion of said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and said second portion of said hook extending from said first portion and being engageable with the vertebra, said second portion having a connecting portion extending from said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member and an end portion extending from said connecting portion and transverse to said connecting portion, said end portion of said second portion extending adjacent the second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra; and  
       a fastener engaging said connecting portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion and prevent movement of said second portion relative to said first portion.  
     
     
       18. An apparatus as defined in  claim 17  wherein said fastener extends through said connecting portion and threadably engages said first portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus as defined in  claim 18  wherein said connecting portion has a slot extending transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member through which said fastener extends. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprising: 
       a longitudinal member having a longitudinal axis extendable along the spinal column; and  
       a hook which connects said longitudinal member to a vertebra of the spinal column, said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and engageable with the vertebra, said hook having a first portion which extends adjacent a first surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra and a second portion which extends adjacent a second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between said first and second portions, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member to adjust a distance between said first portion and said second portion, said first portion of said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and said second portion of said hook extending from said first portion and being engageable with the vertebra, said second portion having a connecting portion extending from said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member and an end portion extending from said connecting portion and transverse to said connecting portion, said end portion of said second portion extending adjacent the second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra, said first portion having a groove extending transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member into which said connecting portion extends to guide movement of said second portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member relative to said first portion, said first portion having first and second surfaces extending parallel to each other and defining said groove, said first and second surfaces being engageable with first and second surfaces on said connecting portion extending parallel to each other to prevent pivoting of said second portion relative to said first portion.  
     
     
       21. An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprising: 
       a longitudinal member having a longitudinal axis extendable along the spinal column; and  
       a hook which connects said longitudinal member to a vertebra of the spinal column, said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and engageable with the vertebra, said hook having a first portion which extends adjacent a first surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra and a second portion which extends adjacent a second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between said first and second portions, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member to adjust a distance between said first portion and said second portion, said first portion of said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and said second portion of said hook extending from said first portion and being engageable with the vertebra, said second portion having a connecting portion extending from said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member and an end portion extending from said connecting portion and transverse to said connecting portion, said end portion of said second portion extending adjacent the second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra, said connecting portion including two arms extending parallel to each other engageable with opposite sides of said first portion, said end portion extending between said arms.  
     
     
       22. An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprising: 
       a longitudinal member having a longitudinal axis extendable along the spinal column;  
       a hook which connects said longitudinal member to a vertebra of the spinal column, said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and engageable with the vertebra, said hook having a first portion which extends adjacent a first surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra and a second portion which extends adjacent a second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between said first and second portions, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member to adjust a distance between said first portion and said second portion, said second portion being pivotable relative to said first portion, said first portion of said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and said second portion having a connecting portion extending from said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member and an end portion extending transverse to said connecting portion, said end portion of said second portion extending adjacent the second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra; and  
       a fastener engaging said connecting portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion and prevent movement of said second portion relative to said first portion, said second portion being pivotable about said fastener relative to said first portion.  
     
     
       23. An apparatus as defined in  claim 22  wherein said fastener extends through said connecting portion and threadably engages said first portion to clamp said connecting portion to said first portion. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus as defined in  claim 23  wherein said connecting portion has a slot extending transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member through which said fastener extends. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprising: 
       a longitudinal member having a longitudinal axis extendable along the spinal column; and  
       a hook which connects said longitudinal member to a vertebra of the spinal column, said hook being connectable with said longitudinal member and engageable with the vertebra, said hook having a first portion which extends adjacent a first surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra and a second portion which extends adjacent a second surface of the vertebra when said hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between said first and second portions, said second portion being movable relative to said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member to adjust a distance between said first portion and said second portion, said second portion including a connecting portion engageable with said first portion, said entire second portion including said connecting portion being movable relative to said first portion transverse to said longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member.